PEGGY-IN-THE-RAIN
"Mind!" he exclaimed when the thunder had spent. "I should say not! Why, this is perfectly bully; a regular rain-proof tent!" He patted the horse's neck, spoke soothingly, and the sorrel, pointing his ears, seemed less restive on the instant. There was a flash of lightning, and the girl gasped and closed her eyes. The thunder broke, and she strained backward against the tree with clenched hands, fighting against her terror. When he could make himself heard, Gordon spoke lightly and cheerfully, apparently not noticing her panic.
"Quite a storm, isn't it? It will be all over in five minutes, though, and the sun out again. Did you get very wet?"
"N-no, I rode in here as soon as the rain started," she replied, her wide eyes straining for the next flash. "Oh, I'm such a coward about thunder and lightning. It—it's silly, I know, but I can't— Oh!"
He waited again. Then:
"Sit down," he said authoritatively. "Here, we'll both sit down. The ground isn't very wet, and, anyway, you'll be home in a few minutes." He drew the horse nearer, squatted beside her and
6
